title: Role of ultrasound in diagnosing isolated torsion of fallopian tube.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summarize the ultrasonic features of isolated fallopian tube torsion (IFTT) by retrospectively analyzing cases presenting at our hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  This analysis was approved by the ethical committee of our hospital. Medical records of surgically proven IFTT patients admitted to our hospital since 2002 were collected. Clinical features and preoperative diagnoses of the patients were analyzed retrospectively. Ultrasonic images were reviewed and characteristics, including location, size, shape, echo and vascularity of the fallopian tube, were summarized.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients with IFTT were studied. No obvious association was found between the torsion and menstruation cycle. Only four accurate diagnoses were made before the operation. Degrees of torsion ranged 360-2160°. Most of them (9/11, 81.8%) were greater than 720°. Sonograms of the 11 patients could be classified into four types: cystic masses, tube-like structures, heterogeneous masses and whirlpool signs. Cystic masses were the most commonly seen type (4/11, 36.4%), followed by tubular structures (3/11, 27.3%). Whirlpool sign was believed to be the most specific sign in diagnosing IFTT.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Through review of the authors' experiences, it is possible to diagnose IFTT preoperatively by ultrasound. Sonograms of the IFTT could be divided into four types while clinical significance of this classification requires further confirmation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, 2nd Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China.
authors.forename: Li-tao
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Chun-ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Ning
authors.forename: Xi-juan
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Xiao-ying
authors.initials: XY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Jia-wei
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Tian
mesh_terms: D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005184:Fallopian Tube Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005187:Fallopian Tubes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014102:Torsion Abnormality / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: diagnosis; fallopian tube torsion; isolate; ultrasound